Beloved boxing trainer Steward dies at 68

Famed boxing trainer Emanuel Steward, who created a legion of world champions out of his Detroit gym, died Thursday at a Chicago hospital.

He was 68.

According to USA Today, Steward, who has been hospitilized since September, had been had been suffering from diverticulitis, though he reportedly had contracted colon cancer.

Steward was known for running Kronk gym, where he bred champion fighters like Thomas Hearns, Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko. Over the years he also trained world champions Michael Moorer, Evander Holyfield, Oliver McCall, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. and Oscar De La Hoya.

He was a father figure to dozens of other boxers, whom he trained by day and parented by night. In recent years he became known for his commentary during HBO-TV's boxing matches.

"We are all grieving the passing of our friend Emanuel Steward," Arum said. "His founding and leadership of the Kronk Gym in Detroit was outstanding. His efforts produced many world class fighters and champions including Tommy Hearns, Milt McCrory, Michael Moorer and many more. Emanuel Steward always stood for the best that boxing could offer. He will be missed by all of us."

Steward was known as an elite cornerman who coached Hearns, Lewis and Klitschko to multiple titles. Until he replaced him this week, Klitschko was expected Steward to be in his corner.

"(My brother) Vitali and I, along with the entire Team Klitschko, send our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Emanuel's family and friends," Wladimir Klitschko said according to a statement. "It is not often that a person in any line of work gets a chance to work with a legend. Well I was privileged enough to work with one for almost a decade."

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996. He was named trainer of the year in 1993 and 1997 and manager of the year in 1980 and 1989.

Steward was born in West Virginia on July 7, 1944. He took up boxing at age 8 and moved to Detroit with his mother at age 12, when he started training at Brewster's Gym. He had a 94-3 record as an amateur fight, winning the 1963 bantamweight title at the National Golden Gloves tournament.

He began coaching boxers in 1971 at Kronk Gym, where his legend grew. He trained Hearns when the fighter turned pro in 1977 and helped him win the lightweight title in 1980.

Steward kept working as a trainer through this past summer.

"It brings me great grief and sadness to hear of the passing of one of the best and most respected trainers of this era, Emanuel Steward," De La Hoya said told ESPN.com. "I learned a lot from him during our professional relationship and I will be forever grateful for his help during that time. We were also friends and I know I am going to miss him as so many others will too. He was an important part of our boxing community."